The Amazing Bible. Book Club
2 Kings - Chapter 24b - The Reigns of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah
Babylon is now the major world power. They invaded Judah once already and took money and some exiles such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Jehoiakim died after eleven years of reign, and his son Jehoiachin reigned in his place. He was only eighteen years old, and he reigned only three months, until King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to the city. Jehoiachin surrendered, and he was taken into exile along with his family, his officers, his attendants, his fighting men, and all the craftsmen and artisans. Verse 14 tells us he took 10,000 people and left only the poorest of the land. In this group of exiles was the prophet and priests, Ezekiel. Nebuchadnezzar placed Jehoiachin's uncle as king. His name was Mattaniah, but it was changed to Zedekiah. This was the last king of Judah, and his kingdom was extremely weak, plus the prophet Jeremiah was still around declaring that the worst is yet to come. Verse 20 says, "It was because of the Lord's anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end He thrust them from his presence." Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon - which sets up the scene for the worst - the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord.
Babylon is now the major world power. They invaded Judah once already and took money and some exiles such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Jehoiakim died after eleven years of reign, and his son Jehoiachin reigned in his place. He was only eighteen years old, and he reigned only three months, until King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to the city. Jehoiachin surrendered, and he was taken into exile along with his family, his officers, his attendants, his fighting men, and all the craftsmen and artisans. Verse 14 tells us he took 10,000 people and left only the poorest of the land. In this group of exiles was the prophet and priests, Ezekiel. Nebuchadnezzar placed Jehoiachin's uncle as king. His name was Mattaniah, but it was changed to Zedekiah. This was the last king of Judah, and his kingdom was extremely weak, plus the prophet Jeremiah was still around declaring that the worst is yet to come. Verse 20 says, "It was because of the Lord's anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end He thrust them from his presence." Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon - which sets up the scene for the worst - the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord.